A POLICE constable has been sacked by Thames Valley Police for gross misconduct.

PC Tom Myneham, a patrol officer at Cowley police station, was dismissed from the force on Friday after he lied about the theft of his car.

He was dismissed for two breaches of the standards of professional behaviour after a misconduct hearing.

PC Mynehan told Thames Valley Police officers on July 30, 2013 that his Alfa Romeo 147 had been stolen from a lay-by on the A40 between Witney and Carterton.

He also contacted his insurance company to report the car as stolen and they paid him the value of the vehicle.

But the force’s professional standards department then investigated the incident and decided PC Mynehan had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

At the misconduct hearing, the panel found PC Mynehan - or someone acting on his behalf - had arranged for the car to be removed from the lay-by and scrapped.

Because PC Mynehan had lied to police and the insurance company about the disappearance of the car, he was then dismissed.

Det Ch Supt Tim De Meyer said: “The thoroughness of this investigation demonstrates that Thames Valley Police takes reports of misconduct extremely seriously.

“For the public to have confidence in the police they must be able to trust us and there can therefore be no place in the police for those who do not act with integrity.

“Thankfully, cases such as this are rare but I hope that the outcome sends a strong message to the public and to other police officers.

“The dismissal of Pc Mynehan shows that there will be serious consequences for officers who are found to have been dishonest and that the public can trust Thames Valley Police to take tough action to tackle misconduct.”

PC Myneham has not been charged with any criminal offence in connection with the incident.

He is entitled to submit an appeal within 10 working days of his dismissal.